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The She Is An Astronomer project seeks to break down misconceptions andgender issues in astronomy and science

21 April 2009, Paris: The highly anticipated International Year ofAstronomy 2009 Cornerstone project, She Is An Astronomer, was launchedtoday. She Is An Astronomer aims to help achieve several of the UnitedNations Millennium Development Goals, including promoting gender equalityand empowering women.

The official SIAA website, www.sheisanastronomer.org, provides aone-stop-shop for gender issues in astronomy and science. The site boastsfive sections: profiles of living and historic astronomers; resources forfemale astronomers; events taking place during IYA2009; an SIAAAmbassadors' Area; and a forum where issues, lessons and challenges can bediscussed, including the opportunity to question experts. The websiteprovides neutral, informative and accessible information and will be usedto advertise new events, keeping interested parties at the forefront ofdevelopments. Examples of best practices and relevant statistics will bepooled, making them accessible to the wider community. Content will beregularly added during 2009, resulting in a vast depository that willremain online long into the future, acting as an ongoing legacy.

The M. Hildred Blewett Scholarship for Women in Physics consists of anaward of up to $45,000 to enable women to return to physics researchcareers after having had to interrupt those careers for familyreasons. Details on the scholarship and how to apply can be found athttp://www.aps.org/programs/women/scholarships/blewett/index.cfmApplications are due June 1, 2009.

Please share this information with a woman in physics who may be interested!

Workshop seeks to lure women researchers from industry to academia.A series of national workshops at the University of Washington willtry a novel approach to boost the number of women faculty inuniversity science, technology, engineering and mathematicsdepartments. It will seek to lure women from industry â€" in otherwords, help women who have established careers in the private sectorto consider applying for academic jobs.

The On-Ramps into Academia workshops are funded by a new grant fromthe National Science Foundation. The program is geared to provide analternative to the intense competition that exists when hiringtalented women faculty to tenure-track positions.

The first workshop, to be held in Seattle over two days in October,will provide practical tools and support to women who are interestedin making a transition. Senior women researchers who have made thejump to successful academic careers will provide information,networking opportunities and support to others who might beconsidering a similar move. Topics to be covered will include the jobapplication process, interviewing and start-up negotiations. Thisfall's event will be the first of three annual workshops.

Women with at least three years of experience after completing aPh.D. or postdoctoral position are invited to apply. The workshop isfree and, because of the weak economy, participants for the fallworkshop can apply for stipends to cover travel costs to Seattle. Theonline application, athttp://www.engr.washington.edu/onramp/Application.htm, takes less thanan hour to complete. Priority will be given to applications submittedbefore May 15.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Travel Support to ICMPFrom: WIPHYS, April 24, 2009

There is a block travel grant from the US National Science Foundationto provide travel support for US based participants to go to Praguefor the International Congress of Mathematical Physics in August,2009. The deadline to apply is April 30.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy and Astrophysical Instituteat Ohio University is seeking a Visiting Assistant Professor inAstronomy/Astrophysics. The individual hired to this position willbe responsible for teaching one course per term during the three-quarter academic year, and will be expected to participate in theAstrophysical Instituteâ€™s public outreach and research activities.The appointment will begin September 1, 2009 for a period of oneyear, with renewal for additional years contingent on satisfactoryperformance and availability of funding.

Ohio University is a public institution with an enrollment of 21,000students. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has 27 permanentfaculty and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including aPhD in physics with a concentration in astrophysics. The Universityand the Department are committed to excellence in teaching at alllevels. Ohio University is a partner in the MDM Observatory, andmembers of the Astrophysical Institute maintain a vigorous program oftheoretical and multi-wavelength observational research.

Applicants for the position should have completed a PhD by September2009 in astronomy or a closely related field. Applications should besubmitted via email to Prof. Joseph Shields at shields_at_phy.ohiou.edu,and should include a cover letter with a statement of teachinginterests, a curriculum vitae, and names of at least threeindividuals who can be contacted to provide letters of reference.Review of applications will begin May 15 and will continue until theposition is filled. Ohio University is committed to quality,diversity, and equal opportunity.

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